A senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has said the 2026 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states will provide the first real measure of the African Democratic Congress’ (ADC) political credibility and strength.
Sowunmi made the remarks during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, as debates continue over the emergence of new opposition platforms ahead of future elections.
Responding to claims that the ADC is presenting itself as a political alternative for Nigerians, the PDP chieftain dismissed such assertions, insisting that a party’s relevance can only be proven at the polls, not through rhetoric.
“I don’t believe that narrative. Their first real test will come in Osun and then Ekiti, whichever happens first. That is when they will realise that politics does not respond to noise,” he said on Thursday.
He cautioned against premature conclusions about the ADC’s chances, noting that political parties need time to resolve internal contradictions and unlearn long-standing habits.
“I have strong views about the ADC, but it is still too early. One must be careful not to further damage an already fragile effort. Change takes time because people are shaped by character and habits developed over the years,” Sowunmi explained.
Sowunmi also criticised what he described as early signs of entitlement within the ADC, warning that such attitudes could hinder the party’s development.
“You have not even crossed the finish line, yet there are already intense conversations about entitlement from individuals who believe they deserve tickets even before officially joining,” he added.